Patent GB-441131-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to amusement devices
IPC: G07F17/36
Filed: 1934-07-04
Abstract: 441,131. Coin-freed optical projection apparatus. BRIGGS, G., 2A, Blomfield Road, Maida Hill, London. July 4, 1934, No. 19686. [Classes 3 (i) and 27] [See also Group XX] A coin-freed fortune-telling apparatus comprises means for projecting an image of information or the like on to a screen 25 within a globe 24 which is rendered semi-transparent, preferably by discontinuous silvering, and situated in an open recess 21 in a casing 20, the image on the screen 25 being visible through the semitransparent globe 24 owing to its luminous intensity being greater than that on the outside of the globe. In the apparatus particularly described, information purporting to tell the user's fortune is carried on a set of transparencies supported in carriers 39 attached to a drum 40 which, at the conclusion of each operation, is rotated to bring a fresh transparency into an optical projection system comprising a lamp 37, a condenser 36, and a focusing lens 90. The apparatus is operated by an electric motor whose circuit, as well as that of the projection lamp 37, is closed for a predetermined period after the insertion of a coin. The circuit of the lamp 37 is also controlled by a gas discharge tube in the manner described in Specification 441,193, whereby the user must approach his hands to the globe 24 in order to render the fortune visible. Means are also provided whereby the image on the screen 25 is at first diffuse, becomes clear after a short period, and then diffuse again immediately before the termination of the period of operation. An inserted coin moves a contact member 61 (see Fig. 10 of Specification 441,193) out of engagement with a contact 62 and into engagement with another contact 65, thus breaking the circuit of a flickering lamp 64 illuminating the recess 21 and completing that of the primary of a transformer 66 supplying a relay 70 which closes its contacts 78, 79 to complete the circuits of the motor 27 and the projection lamp 37. The motor drives a shaft 28 through one revolution which determines the period of operation. During this period, a cam 29 on the shaft slowly depresses a spring-actuated arm 31 connected by a link 44 to an arm 45, loose on the shaft 41 of the drum 40, and carrying a pawl 46 which is slowly drawn back over one of a series of pins 43 on the drum 40.. Just prior to the termination of the period of operation, the arm 31 moves rapidly upwards under the control of the cam 29, so that the pawl 46 turns the drum through one step to cause the next transparency, which is then resting on a fixed rail 50, to fall into operative position upon a rail 52 carried by a pair of arms 57 pivoted at 53. Simultaneously, the transparency being projected is released by a double-armed lever 55, engaged by the arm 45 at 56, which tilts the pivoted arms 57 so as to withdraw the rail from beneath this transparency. Simultaneously also, contacts 61, 65 are disengaged to break the motor and projection lamp circuits. The contact member 61 comprises a double-armed lever pivoted at 111, Fig. 10, and is held in its operated position, into which it is moved by an inserted coin passing down the shoot 112, by a pair of pivoted spring- actuated catches 114, 115. These catches are provided with pins 120, 121 which engage a pivoted arm 117 connected by a link 118 with an arm 119 on a shaft 32 to which the camoperated arm 31 is secured, the arrangement being such that during the rapid upward movement of the arm 31 at the termination of the period, the contact member 61 is disengaged by the pawl 114. The projection lens 90 is mounted in a pivoted sector-shaped plate 91. Normally a series of holes 92 in the plate 91 are situated in the light beam, but during a short initial period, the plate 91 is rotated through linkwork 93, 94, 95, 97 by a spring- urged arm 98 operated by a second cam 100 on the shaft 28. During this initial period, therefore, vague irregular movements appear inside the globe, suggesting to the operator that he has not concentrated sufficiently until finally the lens 90 is brought into operative position and the image of the slide is projected on to the screen 25. The holes 92 are similarly brought into operation toward the expiry of the period of operation. In alternative forms of the image clouding mechanism, a lens such as that at 90 is brought into and out of focusing position, or a moving mirror having non-plane and plane parts is introduced into the light beam. In place of a single slide, a length of film may be projected.